Deliveroo is to roll out food delivery robots across five UK locations as boss insists riders will not lose jobs

From the Newshound archive · first published 4 October 2026 · last updated 5 October 2026.

Deliveroo will deploy AI-powered four-wheeled robots built by US firm Coco across Canary Wharf, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Stockton-on-Tees and Nottingham within weeks. The company is lobbying councils across Britain and the Department for Transport to expand the scheme further. Chief executive Miki Kuusi insisted the rollout is not about replacing human riders, saying the optimal 'fleet split' still requires people, particularly during peak hours.

Rivals are doing the same: Just Eat already uses robots from tech firm Starship in some UK areas.

Deliveroo has faced past criticism for exploiting gig-economy workers, with Reform UK pledging a 'Deliveroo Law' in August over claims illegal migrants use delivery apps to earn money.

Kuusi said there is 'no sense' in having enough robots to cover peak demand, because they would sit idle most of the week.